Freeline has raised $120 million to support the launch of a pivotal clinical trial of FLT180a, the company’s lead gene therapy candidate for the treatment of hemophilia B. FLT180a uses AAVS3, Freeline’s proprietary adeno-associated virus (AAV) protein shell, or capsid, to infect human liver…

My husband, Jared, lives with hemophilia B and a seizure disorder. He also lifts weights, performs bodyweight workouts, and swims. Now and then, someone will see him doing laps in the pool and ask, “Are you a professional?” To which he responds, “No, the water just loves me more.

During my husband Jared’s recent hospitalization, I heard one particular sentence more times than I can count: “We’ll wait for Doc’s approval.” Jared was admitted for a burn on his hand, an injury that, on its own, often follows a fairly standard treatment path. But because he lives with…

New research suggests that the main developmental role of heterochromatin, a form of dense DNA found in chromosomes, is to suppress virus-like DNA elements known as “jumping genes” from replicating and attaching themselves across a person’s genome, potentially destroying important genes and causing a variety of diseases, including hemophilia and cancer. The study, by University of North Carolina…

The Summer Olympics are around the corner. Gymnasts there will soar through the air with grace and precision, showcasing incredible feats of strength and flexibility. Athletes will push their limits, running at record speeds, demonstrating the peak of human endurance. Divers will climb to dizzying heights, performing acrobatic feats as…

In our quest for security and certainty, it’s only natural to gravitate toward options that offer zero risk. Think about it: When you purchase insurance or opt for a product with a money-back guarantee, you’re essentially seeking assurance against any potential loss. This tendency to avoid risk at all…

Pfizer will invest an additional $500 million into the construction of its new manufacturing facility in Sanford, North Carolina, the company announced. According to the company, the facility could help advance the manufacturing of one-time gene therapies that use modified adeno-associated viral vectors, such as SB-525, which is…

Treatment with Eloctate and Alprolix improves joint health, bleeding episodes and quality of life of patients with hemophilia, Bioverativ and Sweden’s Sobi recently announced. The data is being presented at the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH) 2017 Congress,  through July 13 in Berlin, Germany. Hemophilia is a…

When I was a kid in the 1970s and ’80s, I thought children who had trampolines in their yards were amazing. Being invited over to jump on a friend’s trampoline was a special treat. Later, as a teacher, I lost track of how many of my students acquired injuries from…